Lock and key construction



Dec. 3, 1963 F, THOMAS 3,112,637

LOCK AND KEY CONSTRUCTION Filed July 10, 1962 INVENTOR. JawJ F. 77/0Mas.

BY 7 r In:

HTTaEJKE YQS,

3,112,637 LGCK AND KEY CONSTRUiZTIfiN John F. Thomas, 5327 Shetland Ave,Pittsburgh 6, Pa. Filed July 10, 1%2, 595'. No. zaassz 7 Claixns. (Ci.7(9-2523) This invention relates to a novel lock and key constructionwhich is especially adapted for use in securing hub caps and the likeonto a vehicle mounting structure, however it is by no means limited tothis particular application.

As is known, hub caps are subject to a high incidence of petty thieveryon automobiles; and because of their cost of replacement, and theconsiderable annoyance involved in effecting replacement, it has becomedesirable to include a simple tamper-resistant and durable lock forpreventing removal of hub caps or othe articles adapted to be held inplace. It is quite dillicult to meet all of the functional requirementsfor securing a hub cap in place because the lock, by the very economy ofthe situation, must not be comparable in cost with the hub cap which itis intended to protect. Therefore, it is essential to provide a simplelock which is functionally adequate and yet inexpensive to build andassemble.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a lockand key construction having a high degree of security against picking orbreakage and which is adapted to retain the hub cap or other memberwhich it locks against pilfering. At the same time, it is an object ofthe invention to construct the lock with a minimum number of componentsand a minimum number of moving parts whereby the lock is not subject tobreakage or freezing in place for any reason such as lack oflubrication, contamination or the like.

In the case of most inexpensive locks, one key is oftentimes foundinterchangeable with another, thereby seriously compromising thepick-proof qualities of the lock. Accordingly, it is an important objectof the invention that the lock can be varied in its construction byslight changes which make the lock responsive only to a particular keyconstruction. This feature of the invention contributes to thepick-proof qualities of the lock, thereby increasing its security value.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lock which is free ofmoving tumblers, coil springs and the like, and in their place, toprovide a leaf spring which is biased by the key out of jamming relationwith companion threaded members securing the hub cap or the like to itsmounting structure. Because of this important feature that the lock isexclusive of moving tumblers, coil springs and the like, it is capableof receiving unusually rough handling without producing injury to thelock. Thus, the usual jars and impacts which are experienced inassembling and disassembling a wheel structure will not produce damageto the lock nor will the lock be easily sprung by any pounding or impactproduced at the outer surface of the hub cap. The locking is such thatthe hub cap must be virtually destroyed before it can be removed,thereby discouraging pilferage.

As will be seen from a detailed description of the invention, the lockinvolves a number of distinct security measures, one of which involvesan interfitting of the key bit with variously constructed keyways of thelock, and the second security measure involving biasing of a resilientmember out of jamming connection between two threaded members, therebypermitting threading and unthreading movements of the lock which isotherwise jammed by the resilient member. In this way, the key must beappropriately fitted both to the keyway and to the resilient memberbefore the lock can be properly operated.

3,ll2,53-7 Patented Dec. 3, 1963 The above and other objects andfeatures of the invention will become apparent from the followingdetailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawingswhich form a part of this specification, and in which:

FlGURE 1 is an axial section view of a vehicle wheel and hub cap,together with the lock mechanism of the present invention therefor,showing the mounting structure to which the lock is fastened for holdingthe hub cap in place;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the hub cap lock of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the hub cap lock of the invention, similarto that of FIG. 2, but with the lock rotated from its position shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the lock cylinder, showing the manner inwhich slots are formed therein for the reception of bits on a key;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled lock;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the assembled lock;

FIG. 7 is a partly broken-away elevational plan View of a protector forthe lock to prevent entrance of grime and dirt into its interior;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along line VlllVIIlof FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a partially broken-away side view of a master key for the lockof the invention; and

PEG. 10 is a partially broken-away side view of the master key, rotated90 with respect to the View of FIG. 9.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, there isshown an automotive vehicle wheel 19 having a hub cap 12 attachedthereto. Secured to the side of the wheel by means of its usual mountingbolts 14 is a generally cup-shaped mounting plate 16 for the lock of thepresent invention, generally indicated at 18. The plate 16, however, canbe replaced by other suitable mounting means such as a bracket havingone end sccured to a mounting bolt and its other end, which receives thelock of the present invention, aligned with the center of the Wheel andhub cap. The lock 18 is received within an opening 21 in the center ofhub cap 12 and is provided 'with a flange 22 which engages a cooperatingradially-inwardly extending flange 24 around the opening 20, the flange24 being recessed such that the front face of flange 22 on the lock willbe flush with the outer surface of hub cap 12. The other end of the lock18 is connected to the cup-shaped plate 1.6 by means of a nut 26.

With reference now to FIG. 2, it will be noted that the lock 13 includesa cylindrical assembly 28; a center post 35} which threads into thecylindrical assembly 28; a leaf spring 32, and a key 34. The cylindricalassembly 28 includes a cylinder 36 having longitudinal or axial slots 38and arcuate slots 49 and 42, formed transversely to the slots 33. Thisconstruction is probably best illustrated in FIG. 4. The spacing of thearc uate slots 44} and 42 and the length thereof are factors of thecombination of the lock, whereby only the appropriate key, hereinafterdescribed, is effective for turning the cylinder 36. Furthermore, one ofthe methods for changing the lock combination is by varying the spacingof arcuate slots 40 and 42.

Provided in the cylinder 36 is an axial bore having an upper relativelylarge diameter portion 46 and a lower reduced-diameter portion 48. Thelower portion 48 is threaded as shown and provided with slots 50 spacedapart. The threaded, reduced diameter portion 48 of the cylinder 36receives the threaded portion 52 of the center post 343. The threads onthe lower part 51 of portion 52 will easily pass through the threadedportion 48 in the cylinder 36; however the threads on the upper part 53of portion 52 of center post 3!? are roughened or enlarged such that thecenter post must be force-threaded into the threads on cylinder 36, withthe non-roughened threads on lower part 51 passing through the bottom ofcylinder 36 and adapted to receive the nut 26 which. holds. the lockonto the cup-shaped plate 16. The nut 26 is preferably welded orotherwise securely fastened to the inside surface of the cup-shapedplate 16 such that the threads on portion 52 of the center post may bethreaded therein without the necessity for holding the nut 26 in place,it being understood that when the center post is threaded into the nut26, the plate 16 and the entire center portion of the wheel 16 will becovered by the hub Cap 12.

The cylindrical assembly 28 is completed by a cylindrical sleeve 54(FIGS. 2, 3 andS) which is press-fitted over the outer surface of thecylinder 36 and forced intoengagement with a shoulder 44 on theunderside of flange 22, this shoulder 44 being the one which engages theflange 24 on opening 26) of hub cap 12.

With reference now to the center post 3%, above the threaded portion 52is an unthreaded portion 56 having flattened sides 60 and 62. Spacedalong the unthreaded and flattened portion is a reduced-diameter portion53 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 8) which permits embossments on the interior of thekey 3 2-, hereinafter described, to pass therein. Provided in the sidesof the center post 39 are slots 64 which must be aligned with the slotsin cylinder 36 for thereception of legs 66 and 63 of the spring 32 (seeFIG. 5). Connecting the slots 64 is a transversely-extending slot 67(FIG. 3) having portions 69 extending upwardly from its opposite edges.The portions 69 are tapered such that they may be clinched together overslot or recess 67 to hold the spring 32 in place, and prevent itsremoval. The spring 32 is formed from high carbon steel, or otherresilien like material of proper size, such that the legs 66 and 68 tendto expand outwardly. In assembly, FIGS. 5 and 6, the'center post 36 isinserted into the cylinder 36. The lower part 51 of threaded portion 52,being non-roughened, passes easily through the threaded portion 48 atthe bottom of cylinder 36. The upper part 53 of the threaded portion 52on center post which is roughened is force-threaded into the threadedportion 48 and becomes a semi-permanent connection. As was mentionedabove, the slot 64. on the center post 30 must be aligned with slots 59in the threaded portion 48 in cylinder 36 to receive the legs 66 and 63of the spring 32. The sleeve 54 is then press-fitted over the outersurface of the cylinder 36, thereby reducing the outer diameter of thecylinder a suflicient amount to insure a solid gripping connectionbetween the cylinder 36 and center post 30. .The spring 32 is nextfitted into the assembly by pressing the legs 66 and 68 together wherebythey pass longitudinally into slots 64 of center post 30 so that theupper bent portion of the spring is fitted into the connecting recess67. The ends or portions 69 are then clinched together'to prevent thespring from being removed longitudinally out of slots 64 of the centerpost and slots 56 in the cylinder 36. The lock is now complete, thecompleted assembly being shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

When the lock is so assembled, the lower part 51 of threaded portion 52on center post 3% projects beyond the cylinder 36 as mentioned above andconstitutes the locking connection to the cup-shaped plate 16 on wheel10. The legs 66-68 of the spring 32, having a tendency to expandoutwardly out of the slots 64 in center post 30, are prevented fromdoing so by the depth of the slots in cylinder 36 such that when thespring is fully expanded and in locking position the outer surface ofthe spring is about even with the outer surface of the center post 36. a

It will be noted that the cup-shaped plate 16 is providedwith a centralopening 70 (FIG. 2) which may be threaded to receive the lower part ofcenter post 343. This opening 70, as well as the nut 26, are provided lwith slots 72 and 74, respectively (FIG. 5), adapted to be aligned withthe slots 64 and St) in center post 39 and cylinder 36, respectively.Thus, in order to thread hollow cylindrical member of the proper size tofit into the upper enlarged diameter portion 46 of the bore in cylinder36 and of sufficient length to permit the forming of a thumb grip bywhich it may be turned within the cylinder 36. The thumb grip 89 isformed by pressing together or flattening one end of the outercylindrical member 76. The second member or insert 78 is a hollowcylindrical member of a size and length to be press-fitted into thefirst member 76. Formed on the inner periphery of the insert 73 areindentations or embossments 82 which will slide past the flattenedsurfaces 69 and 62 on the upper portion 56 of the center post 38. Theindentations or embossments 82 are on opposite sides of the insert 78spaced 180 apart. Consequently, in order for the key to be inserted overthe center post 3%, the embossments 82 must be aligned with theflattened portions 66 and 62 since otherwise they will not be able topass over the upper portion of the center post.

Provided on the outer surface of the key blank 76 are bits 34 and 86spaced apart in an amount equal to the spacing between slots 40 and 42and adapted to' slide into slot 38 such that they will be aligned withthe transverse slots 42 and 46, respectively. It can thus e seen thatwhen the bits 34 and 86 pass into the axial slot 38 in cylinder 36, theembossments 82 will pass over flattened portions 66 and 62 and willreach the reduced diameter portion 58 where they may turn freely aroundthe center post. As the key is turned within the bore 46 of cylinder 36,the bits 84 and 86 will pass along the transverse slots 4% and 42. Inthis process, the embossments 82 on the inner surface of the insert 78will be rotated through whereby they will engage the legs 66-68 of thespring 32 to force them (i.e., legs 66 and 68) radially inwardly. Atthis point, therefore, the legs 66 and 68 have been retracted from theslots Si in cylinder 36 as well as slots 72 and '74 in cup 16 and nut26, respectively. Further rotation of the key 89 will cause the cylinder36 to also rotate, thereby removing it from the nut 26 such that the hubcap 12 may be removed.

In order to apply the hub cap onto the wheel, the foregoing process isrepeated, except that thekey is rotated in the opposite direction withthe same overall effect (i.e., the legs 66 and 68 of the spring 32 areforced radially inwardly).

With reference to FIG. 7, added protection to the keyway may be providedby a detachable protector 83 formed from metal or the like which isforce-fitted by thumb pressure into the bore 46 and cylinder 36 to fillthe volume between the center post 36 and the inner periphery of bore2-6. The detachable protector 88 has a iongitudinal slot 39 providedtherein to permit a limited amount of radial expansion and precludesentry of dirt which may otherwise accumulate within the bore 46 and theelements included therehi. Since, asmentioned previously, the hub cap islocated at an unprotected point of the vehicle, it is sometimesadvisable to include this additional protection to the lock toprevent itbecoming fouled by grime, road dust and the like which might otherwisepreclude entry ofthe key.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10*; in place of the custom key shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, there may be used a master key which is of the samegeneral construction as the custom key, except that it does not havebits on its outer surface such as bits 84 and 86. The master key, likethe custom key, is formed from the inner and outer cylindrical members98 and 92. Formed on the members 90 and '92 are two sets oflongitudinally-extendin embossments 9'4 spaced 180 apart. Theseembossments 94 are adapted to slide into the slots 64- on the centerpost 39. Spaced 90 from the embossments 94 are flattened portions 96,there being two flattened portions also spaced 180 apart such that theywill pass over the flattened portions 6! and 62 at the top of the centerpost.

In use, the master key is nserted over the center post with theflattened portions 95 thereon passing over flattened portions 60 and 62of the center post 3% and the embossments 94 passing into the slots 64on either side of the center post 30. In this process, it will beappreciated that the spring legs 66 and 63 will be forced radiallyinwardly; and since the embossments 94 extend into the slots 64 theyprovide a means for transmitting torque, in combination with theflattened sides 96 pressed against sides 68' and s2, from the master keyto the cylinder 36 whereby it may be removed from nut 25 on thecupshaped plate 16. Regardless of changes in the combination of thelock, the master key is efiective for rotating all of the different lockcombinations regardless of the location of the cross slots 40 and 42since, as mentioned above, it does not have bits on its outer surface.

To change the lock combination, the spacing and location of slots 4% and42 and their cooperating bits 84 and 86 on the custom key 34 arechanged; however regardless of any change, the master key of FIGS. 9 and10 will always be effective for turning the lock. A second method ofchanging the lock and key combinations is by varying the number, sizeand relative positions of the reduced diameter or diameters 58 along theunthreaded and flattened portion 56 of center post 38 and matchingembossmen-ts on the inner surface of the custom key 34 to the reduceddiameters on the center post. A third method of changing the lock andkey combinations is by varying the position of the center post 3% in thecylinder 36 relative to the longitudinal slot 33 in the cylinder 36 andby turning the insert in the key blank an equal number of degrees in thesame direction. It can be readily seen that by using either one of thesemethods of changing the lock and key combinations either singly or incombination with each other numerous lock and key combinations may behad. These are security features of the lock and key assembly.

Although the invention has been shown in connection with a certainspecific embodiment, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in theart that various changes in form and arrangement of parts may be made tosuit requirements without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A lock construction comprising a tubular member having longitudinalkeyway slots and circumferential slots disposed transversely thereto, athreaded post including a mounting portion adapted to be held by saidtubular member to produce joint rotation of said tubular member andthreaded post, said threaded post having a portion extending throughsaid tubular member for connection with a companion threaded member,spring means carried by said threaded post and proportioned to fitwithin slots of said post and having normally expanded legs which moveoutwardly into locking engagement with said companion threaded membercomplementary with said center post to thereby prevent turning of bothsaid post and cylinder relative to the companion member, and a keymember having bits adapted to fit within the keyway slots of saidtubular member and to move both longitudinally and angularly relativelythereto whereby a driving connection is effected between said bits andcylinder to 6 produce turning of the cylinder and center post in eitherone of opposite directions, and camming means at the inner surface ofsaid key member having portions which bias the expanded ends of saidspring means within the slots of said center post to permit turning ofthe center post in either a threading or unthreading direction.

2. A lock construction for securing hub caps and the like, comprising afirst lock member having transverse longitudinal and arcuate keywaystherein, a second lock member received in said first lock member andincluding a threaded connection therewith, said second lock memberhaving a threaded portion extending into threaded connection with acompanion member to which the hub cap or the like is adapted to belocked, a resilient member proportioned to fit within slots of saidsecond lock member and including expandable leg portions effectingresistance to threading or unthreading movement of the second lockmember relatively to said companion member to which the hub cap or thelike is adapted to be locked, and a key having bit portions proportionedto fit slideably within the longitudinal and arcuate keyways of saidfirst lock member and adapted to form a driving connection therewithwhereby said first and second lock members are turned together in athreading or unthreadin-g direction, said key member having embossmen-tstherein which bias said expandable leg portions radially inwardly torelease the binding between said second look member and its companionthreaded member when the key is turned angularly and into operativeengagement with said first lock member.

3. A lock adapted for fixing hub caps and the like onto automobilewheels, comprising a mounting cylinder having a threaded opening at oneend thereof and a combination of longitudinal and transverse arcuateslots forming a security against unlocking, a threaded member extendingwithin said cylinder and including a threaded portion extending beyondsaid cylinder for securement with a mounting structure, resilient meanssecured to said post and having expandable portions adatped to jam theprojected threaded end of said center post against turning relatively toits complementary mounting structure, and a key having spaced bitsadapted to pass through and more angularly within the mounting cylinderthrough the slots therein and adapted to form a driving connection withsaid cylinder to eifect movement of the cylinder and threaded membertherein in a threading or unthreading direction whereby the projectedthreaded end of the threaded member is fastened with or released fromits mounting structure, said key also having abutment portions forbiasing said resilient means out of interference fit, resisting movementof the projected end of said post and its companion threaded member,said key bit being in driving engagement with said cylinder to eilectthreading and unthreading movement of said cylinder and post when theresilient means are depressed by the properly constructed key member.

4. A combination lock and key construction for securing hub caps and thelike, comprising a first lock member having grooves therein providinglongitudinal and angular movement of a key member, threaded meanscarried by said first lock member and secured therewith, said threadedmeans having a projecting portion threadedly received within a fixedmember to become interlocked therewith, a resiiient member carriedWithin slots of said threaded means and having expandable portionsadapted to jam movement of the projected threaded portion of saidthreaded means within its companion fixed member, a key having bitsproportioned to fit within the slots of said first lock member andadapted to form a driving connection therewith, effecting rotation ofsaid first lock member and its attached threaded means in a threading orunthreading direction, said key also having bits adapted to bias theresilient member inwardly to be disposed within slots of said threadedmeans thereby relieving retarding eiiect between the projected threadedportions of said threaded means and its companion fixed member wherebysaid hey is free to insert or remove said projected threaded endrelatively to its companion member.

5. A combination lock and key comprising a lock member having a keywayincluding both longitudinal and transverse arcuate portions, a keyhaving bit portions adapted to fit longitudinally within said keyway andmovable arcuately into driving engagement with said lock member toeffect rotation thereof, a mounting member for the lock member, meanscarried by said lock member and including a threaded projecting portionadapted to form a locking connection with said mounting member, aslotted portion in the mounting member, resilient means having at leastone spreadable portion movable into said siotted portion of the mountingmember to resist movement of said threaded projecting portion, andbiasing abutments on said key adapted to force the spreadable portion ofsaid resilient means out of said slotted portion when said bit portionsare disposed in driving connectionwithsaid lock member to eifectthreading or unthreading movement of said threaded projected portion insaidmounting member.

6 A combination lock and key inciuding a threaded connection withamounting member wherein said lock eifects a security fastening againstremoval, said lock and key combination comprising at least onecombination longitudinal and arcuate keyway precluding entry and turningmovement of any except a properly bitted key within the complementarykeyway to effect turning of the lock in a fastening or releasingdirection, said mounting memher having a slotted portion, resilientmeans including a spreadable portion having a jamming portion movablelass? into said siotted portion to preclude turning movement of saidlock, and biasing means forming a part of said key and adapted to urgethe jamming portion of said resilient means outrof said slotted portionof the mounting'mernber to provide turning movement of said lock by saidkey.

7. A combination lock and key construction comprising a mounting member,a lock body adapted to be locked to said mounting member andhaving aportion threadable into or out of a threaded opening in the mountingmeta,-

her, a slot in the threaded opening, a companion slot iirthe,

portion of said lock body which threads into said opening, resiiientmeans in, said companion slot arranged to expand outwardly into the slotin the threaded opening, to prevent turning of the lock body in saidthreaded opening and thereby eiTect lockin of the lock body to themounting member, a keyway in the lock body precluding entry and turningmovement of any but a properiy bitted key in, the keyway, a properlybitted key for said keyway, and means operable in conjunction withturning of said key in its keyway for forcing said resilient means outof the slot in said threaded opening to thereby efiect unlock: ing ofthe lock body to the mounting member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,708,844 Cincel May 24, 1955 2,722,822 Thomas Nov. 8, 1955 2,797,572Prall July 2, 1957 2,994,217 Miller Aug. 1, 1961

4. A COMBINATION LOCK AND KEY CONSTRUCTION FOR SECURING HUB CAPS AND THELIKE, COMPRISING A FIRST LOCK MEMBER HAVING GROOVES THEREIN PROVIDINGLONGITUDINAL AND ANGULAR MOVEMENT OF A KEY MEMBER, THREADED MEANSCARRIED BY SAID FIRST LOCK MEMBER AND SECURED THEREWITH, SAID THREADEDMEANS HAVING A PROJECTING PORTION THREADEDLY RECEIVED WITHIN A FIXEDMEMBER TO BECOME INTERLOCKED THEREWITH, A RESILIENT MEMBER CARRIEDWITHIN SLOTS OF SAID THREADED MEANS AND HAVING EXPANDABLE PORTIONSADAPTED TO JAM MOVEMENT OF THE PROJECTED THREADED PORTION OF SAIDTHREADED MEANS WITHIN ITS COMPANION FIXED MEMBER, A KEY HAVING BITSPROPORTIONED TO FIT WITHIN THE SLOTS OF SAID FIRST LOCK MEMBER ANDADAPTED TO FORM A DRIVING CONNECTION THEREWITH, EFFECTING ROTATION OFSAID FIRST LOCK MEMBER AND ITS ATTACHED THREADED MEANS IN A THREADING ORUNTHREADING DIRECTION, SAID KEY ALSO HAVING BITS ADAPTED TO BIAS THERESILIENT MEMBER INWARDLY TO BE DISPOSED WITHIN SLOTS OF SAID THREADEDMEANS THEREBY RELIEVING RETARDING EFFECT BETWEEN THE PROJECTED THREADEDPORTIONS OF SAID THREADED MEANS AND ITS COMPANION FIXED MEMBER WHEREBYSAID KEY IS FREE TO INSERT OR REMOVE SAID PROJECTED THREADED ENDRELATIVELY TO ITS COMPANION MEMBER.